Electric irradiation apparatus

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an electric irradiation apparatus comprising a face plate in which an aperture is recessed behind which a reflector cap is accomodated. A number of strips which are bent out of the plane of the face plate and which adjoin the circumferential edge of the reflector cap are present at the edge of the aperture in the face plate. A number of irradiation members extending in parallel with their longitudinal dimensions and projecting with their ends between the edges of the strips and the circumferential edge of the reflector cap are provided within the reflector cap.

I United States Patent 1191 Akkerman Nov. 4, 1975 1 ELECTRIC IRRADIATIONAPPARATUS 1,228,994 3/1960 France 250/495 Inventor: Tjerk kerm nrachten, 1,463,336 1 1/l966 France 250/493 Netherlands P E J W La rzmaryxammerames wrence [73] Ass1gnee: U.S. Philips Corporation, New AssistantT N G i b York, NY. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Frank R. Trifari [22]Filed: June 12, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 478,608 [571 ABSTRACT The inventionrelates to an electric irradiation appara- [30] Foreign ApplicationPriority Data tus comprising a face plate in which an aperture is re-June 22 1973 Nether nds 738699 cessed behind which a reflector cap 1saccomodated. a a A number of strips which are bent out of the plane ofthe face plate and which adjoin the circumferential '8; 250/495 240/1edge of the reflector cap are present at the edge of the [58] Fie'ld S493 504 aperture in the face plate. A number of irradiation /503 1 256/1A members extending in parallel with their longitudinal dimensions andprojecting with their ends between the [56] References Cited edges ofthe strips and the circumferential edge of the FOREIGN PATENTS 0RAPPLICATIONS reflector cap are provided within the reflector cap.341,239 11/1959 Switzerland 250/504 4 Claims 2 Drawing Figures U.S.. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet 1 of 2 3,917,951

US. Patent No v. 4, 1975 Sheet 2 of 2 3,917,951

1 ELECTRlC mRAmA'rioN APPARATUS The invention relates to an electricirradiation apparatus which comprises a face plate in which at least oneaperture is recessed behind which a reflector cap is arranged so as tobe sunk relative to the plane of the face plate, in which a number ofirradiation members extending parallel with their longitudinaldimensions are accommodated in the reflector cap and are formed as atleast one but preferably two infrared irradiators and at least oneultraviolet irradiator secured in metal holders with its pinch-likeends, said irradiation members extending for the greater part within thereflector cap from a material which is considerably cheaper than theexpensive reflective material of the reflector cap.

A favourable embodiment of the irradiation apparatus according to theinvention is characterized in that the edges of the strips remote fromthe plane of the face plate have recesses in which the ends of theirradiation members fit. The presence of said recesses in the edges andprojecting with their ends near the edge of the reflector cap. Such anirradiation apparatus is known.

In this known irradiation apparatus the reflector cap with theirradiation members accommodated therein is rotatable relative to theface plate so that the dimensions of the irradiation field can beadjusted. The aperture in the face plate for that purpose has a circularshape.

In this known irradiation apparatus and in the more conventional typesof which the face plate and the reflector cap are manufactured from onemetal sheet, the reflector cap has a number of apertures near itscircumferential edge, through which apertures the irradiation membersproject with their ends.

A drawback of this construction is that in assembling said irradiationapparatus the electric connection members occurring at the ends of theirradiation members have to be threaded through the holes in thereflector cap. This threading of the irradiation members and thesubsequent connection of their electric connection members is alabour-intensive and time-consuming job which cannot or hardly bemechanized. Moreover, the irradiationmembers in said known constructionhave to be locked with separate components and in a separate operationso as to prevent axial displacement thereof. 7

It is the object of the invention to provide an electric irradiationapparatus in which measures have been taken which enable a mechanizedassembling of the apparatus and in which the presence of extracomponents for locking the irradiation members is superfluous.

For that purpose the electric irradiation apparatus of theabove-described type according to the invention is characterized in thatthe edge of the face plate comprises two mutually parallel edge portionsextending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the irradiationmembers and each having a strip bent out of the plane of the face plate,the edge of said strip remote from the plane of the face plate adjoiningthe circumferential edge of the reflector cap, the ends of theirradiation members each projecting between the edge of the strip andthe circumferential edge of the reflector cap. In assembling saidirradiation apparatus, the irradiation members need not be threadedthrough holes in the reflector cap but the radiation members are laid onthe free edges of the strip remote from the plane of the face plate,after which the reflector cap is placed against the radiation memberswith its circumferential edge. The threading operation is thus replacedby a stacking operation. Because said stacking operation is carried outin one direction, first the face plate, then the irradiation members,and then the reflector cap, said operation can easily be mechanized. Anadditional advantage is that the face plate can be manufactured of thestrips facilitates the positioning of the irradiation members relativeto the aperture in the face plate and hence also relative to thereflector cap upon assembling the apparatus.

A further favourable embodiment of the irradiation apparatus accordingto the invention is characterized in that at least one of the ends ofeach of the irradiation members has a locking member bearing against oneof the strips. Such a locking member may consist, for example, of anannular thickening at the end of the irradiation member, whichthickening bears against the sidewall of the strip remote from thereflector cap and thus counteracts an axial displacement of theirradiation member relative to the reflector cap. Instead of an annularthickening, one of the ends or both ends of the irradiation member maybe provided with an annular groove which cooperates with one of therecesses in the edge of the strip. Separate components, such as bracessecured against the face plate and the like, thus become superfluous.

Still another favourable embodiment of the irradiation apparatusaccording to the invention is character- FIG. 2 is an exploded view ofthe faceplate, the irra- I diation members and the reflector cap of theirradiation apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

The irradiation'apparatus shown in FIG. 1 comprises a housing 1 which ismanufactured from metal sheet or a synthetic material and which isclosed on its front by a face plate 2 in which an aperture 3 isrecessed. Arranged behind said aperture is a bent reflector cap 4 formedfrom a reflecting material which is sunk relative to the plane of theface plate. Accommodated inside said reflector cap in this embodimentare three irradiation members extending parallel with their longitudinaldimensions, namely the ultraviolet irradiator 5 and the infraredirradiators 6 and 7. In this embodiment the edge of the aperture 3 inthe face plate comprises four edge portions 8 and 9 extending inparallel in pairs. The edge portions 8 extend transversely to thelongitudinal direction of the irradiation members, the edge portions 9extend parallel thereto. Each of the edge portions 8 and 9 comprises astrip 10 and 11, respectively, bent out of the plane of the face plateand extending transversely thereto. The circumferential edge of thereflector cap adjoins with four curved edges the free edges 12 and 13 ofthe strips 10 and 11 respectively, remote from the plane of the faceplate. The free edges 12 of the strips 10 each have three recesses 14,15 and 16. Metal holders 30 in which the ends 17 of the ultravioletirradiator 5 are connected, fit in the recesses 14. The

recesses 15 and 16 are designed to receive the ends 18 and 19,respectively, of the infrared radiators. As shown in FIG. 1, the ends ofthe irradiation members thus project between the edges of the strips andthe circumferential edge of the reflector cap.

In FIG. 2 which is an exploded view of the reflector cap, theirradiation members and the face plate, the same reference numerals areused as in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the metal holders 30 and the ends18 and 19 of the irradiation members 5, 6 and 7, respectively, havelocking members which in the assembled condition of the irradiationmembers prevent the axial displacement thereof. The locking members ofthe infrared irradiators in this embodiment are formed as annularcollars 21 which bear against the sides of the strips remote from eachother. Of course, instead of the grooves 20, collars and instead of thecollars 21 grooves may be used. Furthermore, each of the ends of theirradiation members is connected to an electric connection wire 29.

The circumferential edge of the reflector cap 4 has two curved edges 22and 23 which are situated in mutually parallel planes. The edges 22 and23 adjoin the free edges 12 of the strips 10 of the face plate whileclamping the ends of the radiation members. For that purpose the edges22 and 23 have recesses 24, 25 and 26 which cooperate with the recessesl4, l5 and 16 in the edges of the strips 10. The ends of the irradiationmembers are clamped in said recesses upon assembling the irradiationapparatus. The circumferential edge of the reflector cap 4 furthermorecomprises the mutually parallel edge portions 27 and 28 which adjoin theedges 13 of the strips 11 of the face plate.

It is obvious from FIG. 2 that the assembly of the components of theirradiation apparatus according to the invention can be effected by asimple and easily mechanizable stacking: operation. During thisoperation, the ends 17, 18 and 19, respectively, of the irradiationmembers 5, 6, and 7, respectively, are first laid in the recesses 14,and 16, respectively, after which the reflector cap is placed againstthe face plate in such manner that the recesses 24, 25 and 26 clamp theirradiation members. The electric connections are then effected. Extracomponents or treatments for locking the rection are superfluous. I

1 Av further advantage of the rectangular shape of the aperture in theface plate and hence also of the reflector capis that an irradiationapparatus of smaller dimensions is obtained as a result.

What is claimed is: I

1. An electric irradiation apparatus which comprises a face plate havingat least one aperture, a reflector cap disposed on one side of the planeof said face plate, and being dimensioned and configured for alignmentwith said aperture, a plurality of elongated irradiation membersdisposed withthe axes thereof in parallel relationship, the axialextremities of each member engaging said reflector cap, each axialportion of each of said irradiation members intermediate said axialextremities being disposed in spanning relationship to said aperturewherein said, face plate comprises two elongated planar members disposedin generally coplanar parallel relationship transverse to thelongitudinal axes of said irradiation members, two lips, each elongatedplanar member being joined to a lip extending in perpendicularrelationship to said face plate, the edge of said lip remote from theplane of said face plate adjoining the circumferential edge of saidreflector cap, said axial extremities of said irradiation members eachprojecting between said edge of said lip and said circumferential edgeof the reflector cap.

2. An irradiation apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said edges ofsaid lips remote from the plane of the face plate have recessesdimensioned and configured for engagement with said axial extremities ofsaid irradiation members. I

3. An irradiation apparatus as claimedin claim 2, further includingmeans'for locking at least one of the ends of each of the irradiationmembers against one of said lips.

4. An irradiation apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least oneof said irradiation members is an infrared irradiator and at least oneis an ultraviolet radiator.

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTIONPATENT NO. 3, 917 951 DATED November 4, 1975 INVENTOR(S) 3 TJERKAKKERMAN It is certified that error appears in the above-identifiedpatent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

ON THE TITLE PAGE Section [30] the priority number should read asfollows Signed and Sealed this A nest:

RUTH C. MASON Am'sting Officer C. MARSHALL DANN (nmmissium'r nflalenrsand Trademarks

1. An electric irradiation apparatus which comprises a face plate havingat least one aperture, a reflector cap disposed on one side of the planeof said face plate, and being dimensioned and configured for alignmentwith said aperture, a plurality of elongated irradiation membersdisposed with the axes thereof in parallel relationship, the axialextremities of each member engaging said reflector cap, each axialportion of each of said irradiation members intermediate said axialextremities being disposed in spanning relationship to said aperturewherein said, face plate comprises two elongated planar members disposedin generally coplanar parallel relationship transverse to thelongitudinal axes of said irradiation members, two lips, each elongatedplanar member being joined to a lip extending in perpendicularrelationship to said face plate, the edge of said lip remote from theplane of said face plate adjoining the circumferential edge of saidreflector cap, said axial extremities of said irradiation members eachprojecting between said edge of said lip and said circumferential edgeof the reflector cap.
 2. An irradiation apparatus as claimed in claim 1,wherein said edges of said lips remote from the plane of the face platehave recesses dimensioned and configured for engagement with said axialextremities of saiD irradiation members.
 3. An irradiation apparatus asclaimed in claim 2, further including means for locking at least one ofthe ends of each of the irradiation members against one of said lips. 4.An irradiation apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one ofsaid irradiation members is an infrared irradiator and at least one isan ultraviolet radiator.